Picking the right grade of stainless steel requires knowing what your options are. Here is a quick rundown of the different types of stainless steel that you can use for your project. Although there are many grades of stainless steel only a dozen or so are used with any regularity. Precipitation-hardening . With over 11% chromium, steel is about 200 times more resistant to corrosion than mild steel. Grade 434 stainless also has excellent pitting resistance compared to 430 grade stainless steel. Best Applications: Kitchen equipment, hibachi grills, high-end cookware, equipment and furniture used outdoors, outdoor equipment used near the ocean. As a general rule, metals that have been heat-treated have the following melting points: It is also important to remember that the maximum use temperatures recommended are usually lower than the maximum number listed in the above chart. You can temper and harden martensitic stainless steel much like carbon and low-alloy steels. Within the three primary categories mentioned above, there are also different grades of stainless steel. Copyright© 2020 Thomas Publishing Company. This group is the most commonly used of all the stainless steels, notably Type 302. Specific types of stainless steel are often designated by a three-digit number, e.g., 304 stainless. The lower carbon content in 304L minimizes deleterious or harmful carbide precipitation as a result of welding. ico-arrow-default-right. Furthermore, they are weldable as long as you take care to use the right heat input and welding consumables. Like with other alloys, the final product is considerably stronger than each of the source materials would be on their own. You can find duplex stainless steel used in the oil and gas industry, chemical engineering industry, water and energy industries, architecture industry, and in the construction of things like bridges, seawalls, tunnels, and piers. Stainless steel is a material with tons to offer. Martensitic stainless steel is magnetic and, with a high carbon content, difficult to weld. By using this site, you agree to our. On the other hand, steel workers often choose ferritic stainless steel because of its resistance to stress corrosion cracking. Something that surprises many people is finding out there are actually multiple kinds of stainless steel. It also has great tensile strength and impact resistance. where corrosion resistance, ductility, formability, and cost are important, and strength is not a concern. It’s partially an austenitic stainless steel and partially a ferritic stainless steel. There are many different types of stainless steel, and the differences can vary greatly between types. Its popularity also means there are seemingly a million different types of stainless steel grades. In conjunction with low carbon content, chromium imparts remarkable resistance to corrosion and heat. Copyright 2020 • All Rights Reserved • The Federal Group USA, While examples of iron smelting can be found as far back as 1800 B.C. One of the more important considerations when choosing the right type of stainless steel for your component or application is the melting point of the specific grade. “Super duplex” stainless steel also has enhanced resistance and strength to corrosion in comparison to regular austenitic stainless steel. Adding nickel (8-20%) to the chromium-iron alloy produces a steel that is austenitic at room temperature, with a face-centered cubic structure that resists corrosion, and whose magnetic field is one of a soft magnet (ie, it can be magnetized in an electric field, but not permanently). Because it's magnetic, it can get caught by magnets in conveyor dishwashers and trash bins, helping to prevent it from being discarded. Food grade stainless steel is often used for kitchen equipment, which is costly to replace. Stainless steel is a versatile metal and can be used for many different things ranging from construction to kitchen equipment. 3. There are a number of basic types of stainless steel finishes. For all of your stainless steel needs, contact Wieland Diversified. Just as with the other types of stainless steel, duplex stainless steel is also broken down into different grades or groups.  The three primary groups are based on the pitting and the corrosion resistance of the material.